Introduction to my review:
I'm dyslexic.It was discovered my 4th grade year.In my day,the treating of dyslexia was to go to a specialist and read a Classic like Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn.You'd read for awhile then you were stopped and asked about what you read.I must say I found these courses disappointing.It seems Mr Twain writes below the 4th grade level.Thus understanding his Classics were rather easy.My dyslexia followed me all my life.While I had very good grades of As,Bs,Cs at Camden Military Academy I tested out at 8th grade level.Upon receiving my BA in Chemistry from Newberry College I tested out at 8th grade reading level.
As a teacher for 3 years , I used this to my advantage.I'd tell my students "if you can understand 8th grade level then you'll understand me."Most of my students either hated or loved me but when they went to college they would write me letters "Mr Watford,I just wanted you to know I sleep through my Physics,or,Calculus,or,Algebra,or,Chemistry,or,Trig,or Biology course.But I'm making As every test."
It seems they only needed my notes for the 1st semester of any of these courses.It should be noted the first 500 page book I ever read was Patricia Campbell Hearst book Every Secret Thing.
This was the beginning of a turn around for me.At CMA,I'd rather see the movie than read a book.It was the Public Librarian in St George that asked "why do you keep walking past that book?'
"Well,she was a hot topic we studied in Civics at CMA."
"Oh,I see.Why don't you read the book?"
"I've never read a book longer than 200 pages."
"I am told the first start to breaking new ground is to find something you're interested in."
"But 500 pages!"
"Give it a try.It's been sitting there for 6 weeks.I'll renew it if you like".
"Well,ok."
So I read.Yes I had to renew but 4 days later I returned it finished.A milestone in my life.I submerged myself into reading.I read everything Pat Conroy had written to date. His last book then was The Lords of Discipline. My only distaste was Pat wanted everyone to know he knew $50 words and I needed a dictionary to look these up.However,I'm starting to love to read.I must tell someone.Pastor Wash went to school at The Citadel with Pat Conroy so I wrote him a letter.To my amazement,Pat hand wrote a letter to me saying he had a sort of dyslexia when it came to Math and Spacial Things.
Upon entering Graduate School,my hate for reading resurfaced.There is nothing more confusing or drier than reading High Level Organo-Metallic Chemistry,Inorganic,Analytical,and especially Physical Chemistry.This is what my tape recorder was for.The book was just for the exercises at the end of the Chapter.Upon receiving my Interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Chemistry I still tested out at 8th grade reading level.
This was now becoming a nuisance.I would read the local paper and they'd use $20 words like racketeering,and so forth.Why the paper would get crushed and thrown across the room.I felt I was damned to be a poor reader.
In the Summer of 2009,Midlands Technical College offered a Read Right Program.The add said for every 4 hours spent in class your reading level would go up One Grade Level.Now I'm excited!Only thing is I've had Vertigo since September 2008.How will I get there?The Lutheran Men of my Church Mt Hermon Lutheran Church in West Columbia,SC already were taking me to my doctor appointments,get a hair cut ,etc.It would be unfair to impose upon them to take me to school everyday.Man,I'm in a pickle.So my Sunday School Teacher(one of my best friends),Ronnie Fulmer said "sign up.God wouldn't have put it out there if he didn't have a way for you to get there"
I signed up and one Sunday my wife,Dianne,and I were driving around and I saw a Trolley."God?Do you want me to ride the bus?"
Come to find out from a very pleasant lady named Mitzi informed me the 28A ran from the main hub at 7:15am to the Airport Campus and picked up at 3:00pm.During this time I attended 2 hours of class per day then read 2 hours per day.By the end of the Summer I was reading on the 12th grade level.
I did this intro to show a person can obtain a College Degree with poor reading ability.I also wanted to point out Miss Marie,my taskmaster,was determined that with this system I could obtain my goal- going from 8th grade to 12th in one Summer.
If you know someone who has dyslexia then there is help.See if there is a Read Right Course.If not beg your Tec School,High Schools.Continuing Ed Classes to place this course in somewhere so everyone can take it.I can't be found without a book now.My list of favorite authors has grown to Pat Conroy and Mary Alice Monroe.This class plus my wife's birthday's present,a kindle 3G,has made reading a true joy.
I can only hope everyone will experience the joy of reading as I do now.
With all that said I now dedicate this review to Major Burton B Gale my 12th grade English Teacher at CMA.Major,I know you're watching.I hope I do you proud.
Review of Alexander Dumas The Three Musketeers
By Michael C Watford (Stonewall)
The book starts out a little slow but after twenty pages it picks up a very fast read.It should be noted one MUST read the introduction and/or prologue to any book to not do so will be depriving the reader very valuable information that is needed in understanding our characters of the tale to be read but some of the plot may also be exposed.Maj Gale would say this book is is a mixture of history and fiction which was most common when Dumas was writing his novels.Dumas so well crafts his tell it's hard to tell what is history and where the fiction is in this spun tale.
For example,Dumas goes to great lengths to prove that there were 3: Athos,Porthos,and Aramis who served as Musketeers for the King during this time.My own research uncovered d'Artagnan,Richelieu,Queen Ann of Austria,Buckingham,The Battle of la Rochelle all did exist.The book well plays out what is true in history in that the King and Richelieu were thick as thieves and at the same time one didn't trust the other.It's equally true the King did not trust his arranged marriage to Ann.Ann was young , beautiful,and mature.While France seemed to be ruled by an immature boy who desperately wants to prove he is a man worthy of Ann's love who later we find out belongs to Buckingham.
The charterers that are fictitious help move the story along.Constance,the right hand lady in waiting to the Queen who slips in and out of the castle running errands for the Queen.Later to become the heart felt love of d'Artagnan.Only to be captured by a mysterious lady and The Man From Meung.
It's rather interesting that while the book is titled The Three Musketeers , it comes across as more a biography :The Life and Times d'Artagnan.I say this because every peril seems to be focused upon him.For example,when Milady gave the order to kill d'Artagnan during the Battle of la Rochelle,our hero escapes this death.
The book has a lot of mystery in it.Just who is Milady working for?Why didn't Athos divorce this wretch and had her killed when he discovered she possessed The Fleur de Lis?Why is Richelieu Hell Bent on winning the Battle of la Rochelle?Why is he determined to break up a marriage he forged together?However,it should be noted that Dumas never makes mention of Richelieu's aspirations to take over the crown.Why should he if his King is his puppet?
There are many antagonist in this book as well.Milady who appears to be The Cardinal's spy and lover.Monsieur Bonacieux who becomes a tattle pigeon on his wife's and The Musketeers activities.Poor Kitty who finally fed up with Milady conspires with d'Artagnan to put Milady in her place.Oh yes,there is Lord de Winter who seeks vengeance for his brother's mysterious death.
If mystery,treason,a couple of love affairs were not enough Dumas throws in a War Between England and France.History records the Battle of la Rochelle was Richelieu's finest hour.These were his Battle Plans.
The book even possesses intrigue.Buckingham , who loves Ann with all his being dashes with d'Artagnan to his quarters to retrieve the diamond necklace to take back to the Queen of His Heart.A fresh horse is proved every so many leagues.Ann's life is saved.However,The Four must return the favor even if they are at war with England.Each lackey has a job to do.Planchet's the most difficult-warn Buckingham that Milady comes to kill him.
The death of Constance brought on by Milady slipping poison into her wine was to be her down fall.A person can't help feel a source of self satisfaction when her trial and sentence takes place along with her execution.
Dumas does throw the reader off guard when it is "he" The Cardinal who recommends d'Artagnan to join his friends as a full blooded Musketeer.Now that I did not see coming.Also after four sword fights and d'Artagnan always being the victor Rochefort found it'd be in his best interest to be friends with his nemesis.
So there you have it-a book to wet everyone's appetite:love,treason,conflict,betrayal,war,scheming,plotting,evil,heroes,the martyrs,the sweet taste of revenge,and a setting of true history should find a beautiful read for any person.My only regret is I haven't read it till now but Read Right wasn't around until 2009 for me.
Major Gale ,I know you're in Heaven.Did I do good on this review?
PS If a movie writer,director,etc were to FINALLY base a movie on 100% Dumas like they did Margaret Mitchel's Gone With the Wind you just might walk away with arm loads of Academy Awards.Till that time we're stuck with 30-40% Dumas and the rest Hollywood.
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